Multi-region interactive display

ABSTRACT

A multi-region interactive display is provided. In some embodiments, a multi-region interactive display includes a display including a plurality of display regions, the display configured to provide content in at least a first display region and a second display region; a processor configured to select content for display in at least one of the display regions; and a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions, in which the first display region and second display region are configured so that when a first user interacts with the first display region, a second user&#39;s view of the second display region is at least partially visible.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kiosks and jukeboxes exist today. These kiosks and jukeboxes typicallyinclude a small display screen (e.g., 15 inches to 19 inches) with justa single, dedicated display region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram illustrating a system with multi-regioninteractive display in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is another functional diagram illustrating a system withmulti-region interactive display in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a functional diagram illustrating a display controller inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a functional diagram illustrating a multi-region interactivedisplay in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is another functional diagram illustrating a multi-regioninteractive display in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a multi-region interactive display in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 7 is another functional diagram illustrating a system withmulti-region interactive display and a user interacting with the firstdisplay region of the multi-region interactive display in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for a system with multi-region interactivedisplay in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is another flow chart for a system with multi-region interactivedisplay in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the invention can be implemented in numerousways, including as a process; an apparatus; a system; a composition ofmatter; a computer program product embodied on a computer readablestorage medium; and/or a processor, such as a processor configured toexecute instructions stored on and/or provided by a memory coupled tothe processor. In this specification, these implementations, or anyother form that the invention may take, may be referred to astechniques. In general, the order of the steps of disclosed processesmay be altered within the scope of the invention. Unless statedotherwise, a component such as a processor or a memory described asbeing configured to perform a task may be implemented as a generalcomponent that is temporarily configured to perform the task at a giventime or a specific component that is manufactured to perform the task.As used herein, the term ‘processor’ refers to one or more devices,circuits, and/or processing cores configured to process data, such ascomputer program instructions.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention isprovided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate theprinciples of the invention. The invention is described in connectionwith such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to anyembodiment. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims andthe invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications andequivalents. Numerous specific details are set forth in the followingdescription in order to provide a thorough understanding of theinvention. These details are provided for the purpose of example and theinvention may be practiced according to the claims without some or allof these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technicalmaterial that is known in the technical fields related to the inventionhas not been described in detail so that the invention is notunnecessarily obscured.

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram illustrating a system with multi-regioninteractive display in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, asystem with multi-region interactive display 100 includes a multi-regioninteractive display 110, a display controller 130, and a networkcommunication interface 150. In some embodiments the system withmulti-region interactive display 100 is in wired line or wirelesscommunication (e.g., Wi-Fi, DSL, DOCSIS, EVDO, satellite, or othernetwork communication) with a network that is in communication with theInternet.

In some embodiments, the multi-region interactive display 110 includesat least two display regions for providing a first content (e.g.,interactive content) displayed in a first display region and a secondcontent displayed in a second display region. In some embodiments, themulti-region interactive display 110 is a partitioned display (e.g., asoftware/graphical partition) that includes at least two displayregions, in which the content displayed on each of the two displayregions are interdependent (e.g., content displayed in a second displayregion depends and/or is related at least in part to content displayedon a first display region of the multi-region interactive display 110).In some embodiments, the system with multi-region interactive display100 receives software updates and/or pew software downloads (e.g.,secure software downloads/updates for operating system software,applications, advertisements, content, and/or other software) via theInternet. In some embodiments, the system with multi-region interactivedisplay 100 is a multimedia kiosk. In some embodiments, the system withmulti-region interactive display 100 is a multimedia jukebox in which ajukebox application is displayed in a first display region (e.g., lowerdisplay region of a partitioned display) and a persistentvideo/advertising application is displayed in a second display region(e.g., higher display region of the partitioned display). In someembodiments, the system with multi-region interactive display 100 is aninteractive kiosk (e.g., for a retail/shopping store, retail/shoppingcenter, professional center, educational center, sports arena, museum,and/or hotel), in which the kiosk includes at least two modes ofoperation that can be configured based on a toggle setting or programmedfor use based on a programming schedule.

FIG. 2 is another functional diagram illustrating a system withmulti-region interactive display in accordance with some embodiments. Asshown, a system with multi-region interactive display 100 includes amulti-region interactive display 110, a display controller 130, anetwork interface 150, and a payment component 170. In some embodiments,the payment component 170 receives cash and/or credit/ATM cards fromusers for payment (e.g., a Mars 1600 combo bill and credit cardacceptor). In some embodiments, the system with multi-region interactivedisplay 100 requests that the user provide payment for one or moreapplications and/or services requested by the user interacting with themulti-region interactive display 110. In some embodiments, the systemwith multi-region interactive display 100 provides one or more of thefollowing applications/services: custom applications (e.g., for aparticular venue, such as customized training application, venue map,and/or services application), mobile applications, video, localizedcontent, social applications, and various other applications, such as atext message application, a photo application, an advertisingapplication, a music application, a video application, a music videoapplication, a game application, a food ordering application, a drinkordering application, a concierge service (e.g., a virtual hotelconcierge), a ticket service, and a taxi service.

In some embodiments the system with multi-region interactive display 100provides a multimedia music jukebox that provides a selection of songs(and/or songs with music videos or other associated video content)(e.g., for free or for a payment by the user). In some embodiments, thesystem with the multi-region interactive display 100 executesapplications that allow users of the system to interact withapplications (e.g., mini-sites, also referred to herein as mini-websites, that allow users to access content or upload/download contentusing the World Wide Web (WWW) via the Internet, such as a FLICKR photoapplication, GOOGLE maps application, YOUTUBE video application, or anyother WWW/Internet based application). For example, a user can uploadphotos taken at the location of the system (or other photos that theuser wants to share with other customers/patrons) with the multi-regioninteractive display 100 to a FLICKER account that is associated withthat system. In some embodiments, the text message application (and/orphoto/video/other applications) perform auto filtering to restrictcontent that can be displayed/shared with other users (e.g., customers)based on a privacy and/or content policy, which can be automaticallyconfigured based on the venue of the system with the multi-regioninteractive display 100 (e.g., a first content policy can be providedfor a bar venue and a second content policy can be provided for a familyrestaurant venue) and/or configured specifically for that system/venue(e.g., during installation/setup or at a later point in time by a userwith system administration privileges).

In some embodiments, the system with the multi-region interactivedisplay 100 provides dynamic and fully customizable content, which, forexample, can be dynamically downloaded via the network (e.g., theInternet). For example, ads can be served for display in the seconddisplay region of the multi-region interactive display 110 using adserving technology (e.g., DOUBLECLICK ad serving technology), whichprovides advertisers with targeting, measurement, survey and reportingcapabilities similar to WWW ads. As another example, ads can be servedfor display in the second display region of the multi-region interactivedisplay 110 based on user interactions with the first display region ofthe multi-region interactive display 110 (e.g., to provides contextrelevant ads at relevant periods of time) and/or based on a locationand/or venue of the system 100.

In some embodiments, two or more of the regions or all of the regions ofthe multi-region interactive display 110 are used for non-interactivecontent when the system with the multi-region interactive display 100 isidle (e.g., providing a full screen attract mode). In some embodiments,two or more of the regions or all of the regions of the multi-regioninteractive display 110 are used for interactive content (e.g.,providing a full screen mini-site mode).

FIG. 3 is a functional diagram illustrating a display controller inaccordance with some embodiments. As shown, a display controller 130includes a display communication 132 for communicating with themulti-region interactive display 110, a processor 134 for controllingthe system with multi-region interactive display 100, a networkcommunication interface 136 for controlling network interface 150, astorage 138 (e.g., 80 GB storage drive) for storing data and/orexecutable applications and/or advertisements/video/music/other content,and a communication bus 140. In some embodiments, the display controller130 includes an operating system (OS) (e.g., an embedded OS, such asWindows XP Embedded) executing on a general processor (e.g., an INTELPENTIUM (dual/multi-core) processor).

FIG. 4 is a functional diagram illustrating a multi-region interactivedisplay in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, the multi-regioninteractive display 110 includes a first display region 112 and a seconddisplay region 114. In some embodiments, the multi-region interactivedisplay 110 is a capacitive touch screen. In some embodiments, thesecond display region displays persistent video and/or advertising(e.g., the selected content being displayed in the second display regioncontinues to be displayed while the user is interacting with the firstdisplay region). For example, a multimedia jukebox or multimedia kioskcan include the multi-region interactive display 110 to providepersistent advertising in a second (top) display region, which isvisible to other users (e.g., customers (other users) within eye view ofthe multi-region interactive display 110) while still allowing acustomer (a first user) to interact with content in a first (bottom)display region of the multi-region interactive display 110. In someembodiments, user selected content for the first display region 112determines (at least in part) content for display on the second displayregion 114 (e.g., persistent video, an advertisement, or anotherapplication). In some embodiments, the system with multi-regioninteractive display 100 displays location based media on at least one ofthe display regions, in which the location of the system is configuredor automatically determined based on a location awareness determination.In some embodiments, the system with multi-region interactive display100 displays an advertisement on the second display region, in which theadvertisement is selected based on one or more of the following: alocation of the system, a selected content being displayed on the firstdisplay region, and one or more selections received by the first user,in which the location of the system is configured or automaticallydetermined based on a location awareness determination (e.g., based onGPS information, configurations/settings, and or network availablelocation information, such as based upon a zip code of that locationbeing parsed using map information).

FIG. 5 is another functional diagram illustrating a multi-regioninteractive display in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, themulti-region interactive display 110 includes a first display region112, a second display region 114, and an application belt display region116. In some embodiments, the system with multi-region interactivedisplay 100 displays applications in the application belt display region116 for selection by the user. In some embodiments, an application thatis selected using the interactive application belt 116 is displayed inthe first display region 112 and/or the second display region 114 of themulti-region interactive display 110, in which the multi-regioninteractive display 110 includes two partitioned display regions as wellas the application belt display region 116. In some embodiments, anindication (e.g., based on a user input, such as using a touch screeninteractive display) for a selection of an application displayed in theapplication belt region 116 is received, in which the displayedapplications for selection include one or more of the following: a textmessage application, a photo application, an advertising application, amusic application, a video application, a game application, a mapapplication, a services application, a training application, and acustom application.

In some embodiments, the system with multi-region interactive display100 receives a touch based indication to select content for display inat least one of the display regions. In some embodiments, the systemwith multi-region interactive display 100 receives a touch gesture basedindication (e.g., single or multi-touch gesture) to select content fordisplay in at least one of the display regions (e.g., rotating orspinning the application belt display region 116 using a single ormulti-touch gesture via one application icon at a time and/or multipleapplication icons at a time). In some embodiments, the system withmulti-region interactive display 100 includes a capacitive touch screenand further includes an interactive application belt region 116 thatseparates the first display region 112 and the second display region114, in which the display is configured to provide selectableapplications in the belt region 116, and in which applications areselected for display in the belt region using a touch gesture basedindication to select among the applications for display in the firstdisplay region 112. In some embodiments, the first display region 112,the second display region 114, and/or the interactive application beltdisplay region 116 can be dynamically resized based on user interactionsand/or applications or other programming/settings. In some embodiments,the second display region is sized to provide a 4:3 ratio window size.

FIG. 6 illustrates a multi-region interactive display in accordance withsome embodiments. As shown, the multi-region interactive display 110includes a first display region 112 displaying a map application, asecond display region 114 displaying a text message application, and anapplication belt display region displaying multiple applications forselection by a user. In particular, as shown, the system with themulti-region interactive display 100 includes a text messageapplication, in which the users (e.g., customers of the venue at whichthe system is located) can send text messages from their mobile phonesor other devices that can support text messaging (e.g., SMS) to textother persons in that venue (e.g., restaurant or bar), in which thevarious received text messages are displayed in a second/higher displayregion of the multi-region interactive display 110.

In some embodiments, the system with multi-region interactive display100 displays applications in the interactive application belt region 116for selection by the user using a gesture based touch screen interface.In some embodiments, the first display region 112 provides a jukeboxapplication, and the second display region provides persistent video(e.g., persistent video/advertisement video or persistent interactivevideo/advertisement video). In some embodiments, the first displayregion executes an interactive application, such as an Adobe Flashapplication that provides interactive content (e.g., a mini-web site fora particular product and/or service that provides interactive multimediacontent, such as providing interactive applications, such as a coupongeneration application that can be texted or emailed to a user's mobiledevice, such as a mobile phone, PDA, or laptop/netbook; a mapapplication for locating nearby stores/services; and/or a serviceordering application for ordering services delivery). In someembodiments, content for display is dynamically downloaded via theInternet (e.g., based on periodic updates, a user interaction, alocation setting, and/or any other criteria, setting, or event).

In some embodiments, the system 100 uses a location awarenessdetermination (e.g., based on GPS information, configurations/settings,and or network available location information, such as based upon a zipcode of that location being parsed using map information) to selectcontent for display on the first display region 112, the second displayregion 114, and/or the interactive application belt display region 116.In some embodiments, content for display on the first display region112, the second display region 114, and/or the interactive applicationbelt display region 116 is determined based in configuration/settingsinformation and/or a group identification associated with the system 100(e.g., group IDs can be assigned to systems based on types of locationsand/or venues, such as jukebox in a bar or restaurant, jukebox in afamily restaurant, kiosk in a hotel/tourist area, kiosk in a retailstore/shopping center, kiosk in a sports arena, kiosk in a professionaloffice/center, and/or geography based criteria in part or in addition tovenue based criteria). In some embodiments, the system with themulti-region interactive display 100 provides fully customizablecontent.

FIG. 7 is another functional diagram illustrating a system withmulti-region interactive display and a user interacting with the firstdisplay region of the multi-region interactive display in accordancewith some embodiments. As shown, the system with multi-regioninteractive display 100 includes the multi-region interactive display110 includes a first display region 112, a second display region 114,and an interactive application belt display region 116, in which themulti-region interactive display 110 is on a stand such that the firstuser can interact with the first display region 112 and/or theinteractive application belt display region 116 of the multi-regioninteractive display 110 while standing and such, that the second displayregion 114 is still visible above the typical first user during suchinteractions by other users standing at some distance behind the firstuser (e.g., by other customers in the room, restaurant, bar, store,office or other location of the system 100). For example, the user caninteract with the first display region 112 and/or the interactiveapplication belt display region 116 of the multi-region interactivedisplay 110, and other users (e.g., other customers standing in alocation behind the first user and within eye view of the multi-regioninteractive display 110) can continue to view the second display region114 (at least partially unobstructed).

In some embodiments, the multi-region interactive display 110 is an LCD(liquid crystal display) flat-panel screen (e.g., a large LCD screen,such as a 30 to 60 inch high definition (HD) LCD, such as a 40 inch HDLCD with projected capacitive touch screen that is rotated as a verticaldisplay attached to a floor stand). In some embodiments, themulti-region interactive display 110 is a capacitive touch screen LCD.In some embodiments, the multi-region interactive display 110 is affixedto a wall mount instead of a floor stand, in which the wall mount islocated so that a first user (e.g., a typical adult person) can interactwith the first display region 112 and/or interactive application beltdisplay region 116 while not obstructing a view of the second displayregion 114 for other users located at some distance behind the firstuser.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for a system with multi-region interactivedisplay in accordance with some embodiments. At stage 802, the processbegins. At stage 804, an indication from a first user via an interactivedisplay is received. At stage 806, content for display on the firstdisplay region based on the indication is selected. At stage 808,content for display on the second display region is selected. At stage810, the selected content is displayed on the first display region. Atstage 812, the selected content is displayed on the second displayregion. At stage 814, the process is completed.

FIG. 9 is another flow chart for a system with multi-region interactivedisplay in accordance with some embodiments. At stage 902, the processbegins. At stage 904, an indication from a first user via an interactiveapplication belt display region is received. At stage 906, content fordisplay on the first display region based on the indication is selected.At stage 908, an advertisement for display on the second display regionis selected (e.g., at least in part based on the selected content fordisplay on the first display region and/or at least in part based on thelocation/venue of the system). At stage 910, the selected content isdisplayed on the first display region. At stage 912, the selectedcontent is displayed on the second display region. At. stage 914, theprocess is completed.

Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detailfor purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention is not limitedto the details provided. There are many alternative ways of implementingthe invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and notrestrictive.

1. A digital multimedia jukebox system comprising: a network interfaceconfigured to communicatively couple the digital multimedia jukeboxsystem with a host system over a network, the digital multimedia jukeboxhaving a plurality of applications downloaded from the host system overthe network; a storage device configured to store (i) a plurality ofmultimedia content choices, and (ii) the plurality of applications; auser input device configured to receive a user input selecting one ormore of the plurality of applications to be executed by the digitalmultimedia jukebox system; and a processor configured to execute theplurality of downloaded applications in response to the user input, atleast one of the downloaded applications being configured to permit theuser to (i) access content using the Internet, or (ii) upload ordownload content using the Internet.
 2. The digital multimedia jukeboxsystem of claim 1, wherein the plurality of applications are selectedfrom the group consisting of custom venue applications, mobileapplications, localized content applications, video applications, musicvideo applications, music applications, social applications, photoapplications, text message applications, concierge applications, drinkordering applications, ticket service applications and taxi orderingapplications.
 3. The digital multimedia jukebox system of claim 2,wherein the storage device is further configured to store a contentpolicy.
 4. The digital multimedia jukebox system of claim 3, wherein thecontent policy is automatically configured based on a venue at which thedigital multimedia jukebox system is located.
 5. The digital multimediajukebox system of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configuredto filter the user input based on the content policy, wherein thefiltering prevents prohibited content from being presented by thedigital multimedia jukebox system.
 6. The digital multimedia jukeboxsystem of claim 3, wherein the content policy is manually configured forthe digital multimedia jukebox system.
 7. The digital multimedia jukeboxsystem of claim 2, further comprising: a display device configured todisplay a user interface having a plurality of regions, at least one ofthe regions being a belt region displaying at least a portion of theplurality of applications.
 8. The digital multimedia jukebox system ofclaim 7, wherein the display device and the user input device are atouchscreen display.
 9. The digital multimedia jukebox system of claim2, wherein at least one of the applications is a photo sharingapplication that allows the user to upload an image associated with avenue at which the digital multimedia jukebox system is located to aphoto account associated with the venue.
 10. A digital multimediajukebox system comprising: a storage device configured to store (i) aplurality of multimedia content choices, (ii) a content policyassociated with the digital multimedia jukebox system, and (iii) one ormore applications downloaded from a host device over a network, the oneor more applications configured to receive user generated content fromusers; an input device configured to receive the user generated content;a processor configured to filter the user generated content based on thecontent policy, wherein the filtering prevents prohibited user generatedcontent from being output by the output multimedia jukebox system; andan output device configured to output user generated content that hasnot been prohibited from being output by the content policy;
 11. Thedigital multimedia jukebox system of claim 10, wherein the contentpolicy is configured based on a venue at which the digital multimediajukebox system is located.
 12. The digital multimedia jukebox system ofclaim 11, wherein the content policy is automatically generated based onthe venue.
 13. The digital multimedia jukebox system of claim 11,wherein the content policy is manually configured for the digitalmultimedia jukebox system.
 14. The digital multimedia jukebox system ofclaim 10, wherein the one or more applications are selected from thegroup consisting of custom venue applications, mobile applications,localized content applications, video applications, music videoapplications, music applications, social applications, photoapplications, text message applications, concierge applications, drinkordering applications, ticket service applications and taxi orderingapplications.
 15. The digital multimedia jukebox system of claim 14,wherein the user generated content is selected from pictures, videos, orsound clips.
 16. The digital multimedia jukebox system of claim 14,wherein at least one of the applications is a photo sharing applicationthat allows the user to upload an image associated with a venue at whichthe digital multimedia jukebox system is located to a photo accountassociated with the venue.
 17. A method of processing user generatedcontent by a digital multimedia jukebox, the method comprising: storingone or more applications configured to receive user input; defining acontent policy based on a venue at which the digital multimedia jukeboxis located; receiving a plurality of user inputs, each user inputincluding at least one of a text message, a video, a photo, and an audioclip; filtering the received user input based on the defined contentpolicy, wherein the filtering prevents prohibited user input from beingdisplayed by the digital multimedia jukebox system; and outputting thereceived user input in the case that it has not be prohibited by thecontent policy.
 18. The digital multimedia jukebox system of claim 17,wherein the content policy is automatically configured based on thevenue.
 19. The digital multimedia jukebox system of claim 17, whereinthe content policy is manually configured for the digital multimediajukebox system.
 20. The digital multimedia jukebox system of claim 17,wherein the one or more applications are selected from the groupconsisting of custom venue applications, mobile applications, localizedcontent applications, video applications, music video applications,music applications, social applications, photo applications, textmessage applications, concierge applications, drink orderingapplications, ticket service applications and taxi orderingapplications.
 21. The digital multimedia jukebox system of claim 17,wherein at least one of the applications is a photo sharing applicationthat allows a user to upload an image associated with the venue at whichthe digital multimedia jukebox system is located to a photo accountassociated with the venue.